I recently watched a TED Talk exploring the importance of mentors and role models in a young person’s life. While seemingly obvious, it really hammered down the significance of having a team and sense of community as you navigate your path on a professional and personal level. In this week’s post we were tasked with interviewing someone within our community partner site who we wanted to learn more about. While there are so many incredible people to pick from, I felt that interviewing Noam Kimelman would align with my goals and interests.

Noam has spent most of his recent years in the Michigan area. He began at University of Michigan where he wanted to become a doctor. One summer, however, he did an internship involved in public health, resulting in him getting his degree in the area. Instead of taking the road well travelled in becoming a doctor, Noam decided he wanted to follow his gut and do what he felt was right. He wanted to develop a more preventative system in public health. As opposed to addressing the effect, he instead focused on the cause. This resulted in his starting Fresh Corner in 2010, a 'mission-driven food service provider working to contribute to a fresher, healthier, and even more delicious Detroit.' One of the central goals in Fresh Corner is to make sure every Detroiter has access to healthy food. Noam was recently selected for the Forbes ‘30-under-30’ list for his work.

In interviewing Noam, I wanted to get a sense of what he learned throughout his professional experience, and what gems of wisdom he would pass down to others. A key theme came up. It was the power of community. Often times I think it is common for us to see the leaders in the world we live in and assume they were entirely self-driven - in other words, they did it on their own. Noam, however, highlighted how important it has been for him to have a group of people with diverse perspectives to support his efforts. In this light he stressed the importance of humility and open-mindedness- the need to recognize that a higher education doesn’t necessarily mean better. It doesn’t guarantee success and credibility. He spoke about a time in 2011 working with RECI Detroit, an intercongregational effort to unite the east of Detroit. Noam, Val (his fellow co-founder), and 18 middle-aged black women worked together. He recognized the need to adapt and learn from those around him. Flexibility, humility, and understanding were essential pillars in being able to work within this new environment. He also mentions how this flexibility and empathy has remained relevant on a daily basis- he now recognizes that everyone works differently. It is important to note the differences in how people function, and that one way is not necessarily better than another. This sense of humility within community has been a key factor in Noam’s success and is something that I will remember as I navigate through my own life.

Noam sounds like a very interesting person with an entrepreneurial spirit! Is Fresh Corner still around? It would have been really helpful if you could have linked to it (if they have a website).

Reply

Lisha Wheeler

8/4/2016 01:41:35 pm

Hi Henry. I'm curious about how Fresh Corner is fulfilling their mission? Are they providing prepared meals? For sale?
Sounds like Noam shared some valuable insights into how to be successful, without regard to industry.